Shaheeda Zainab is already set up as the first Muslim private school in Ireland, and has 28 pupils split between junior and senior infants, with plans to go all the way up to Leaving Certificate level.

Shaheeda Zainab is already set up as the first Muslim private school in Ireland, and has 28 pupils split between junior and senior infants, with plans to go all the way up to Leaving Certificate level.

It delivers the full Irish primary curriculum as well as studies in the Koran and Islam. The school participated fully in recent Decade of Centenaries commemorations and posted its Proclamation for a New Generation online with its sentiments translated into Arabic.

"We want to integrate and that is the reason we had this proclamation; we are part of the Irish system," Dr Taufiq said. An independent school, it is not recognised by the Department of Education, but it has been approved by the child and family agency, Tusla, which has powers under the Educational Welfare Act to assess the provision of education of children outside a recognised school. This is the same legislation that covers home schooling.

The Educational Welfare Act approves the education being provided for the child, as distinct from recognising the school. Without recognition, a school receives no State funding and Shaheeda Zainab relies on fundraising events, as well as Dr Taufiq's own funds, to meet its running costs.

School principal is Ciara de Barra, who trained in Coláiste Mhuire, Marino. The second teacher is Orlaith Doran, who graduated from St Patrick's, Drumcondra, and previously worked in the Muslim School in Clonskeagh.